James Smith

The Lord Jesus is a most wonderful person, and everything truly wonderful meets in him. God loves to speak of him. Angels love to praise him. All who are taught by the Holy Spirit love to exalt him. The inspired writers are always setting forth, and exalting Jesus. They are continually giving some new view of him, ever pointing to some fresh excellency in him. He is the great king, and the testimony is, "He shall sit and rule upon his throne!" Zechariah 6:13.

THE SOVEREIGN. The Lord is a great king — a great king over all the earth. JESUS is our king, God's king — and a great and glorious king he is. Greater than David, the man after God's own heart. Greater than Solomon, the wisest among men.

He is incomparable.

His wisdom is infinite, knowing neither limit nor bound.

His empire is universal, for all things are put under his feet.

His subjects are innumerable, like the dew drops of the morning, or the sands on the sea shore.

His resources are boundless, and his power to create more is infinite!

His laws are equitable, for justice and judgment are the basis of his throne.

His reign is eternal, for he shall rule forever and ever.

Wonderful Sovereign!

Wonderful Savior!

Sovereign and Savior in one!

CHRIST'S THRONE. Not constructed of ivory or gold — but glory. It is a glorious high throne, and it is the place of our sanctuary.

It is lofty, above the heavens;
it is magnificent, dazzling to behold;
it is eternal, and can know no decay;
it is encircled with a rainbow, the emblem of security and peace.

It is Christ's own throne.

His by heirship, as the only begotten of the Father.

His by the ordination and appointment of his Father.

His by right of purchase, being founded in his own most precious blood.

His by the suffrages of his people, for they all unite to vote him the throne, and desire that he should reign forever and ever.

CHRIST'S HAPPINESS. He sits upon his throne! He has not to fight for it, or raise an army to defend it. But there he sits and fills it with calm dignity and majesty. He possesses it by lawful right. He retains it by the exercise of grace and justice. He enjoys it with holy satisfaction and pleasure. He satisfies the whole of his subjects — there is not a traitor among them.

He rules . . .
by love — pure and holy love;
by law — suited to the nature and character of his subjects;
by power — having authority to reign, and might to exercise that authority;
and by wisdom — the highest wisdom, which overrules all things for his own glory, and the highest good of his subjects.

His throne is now invisible to mortal eyes — but it will be seen by and bye. John beheld it in vision, and writes, "I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, before whose face the earth and Heaven fled away!" "And he who sat upon the throne, said, Behold I make all things new."

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord Almighty shall reign in the new Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. Then shall be fulfilled the prediction, "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."

His government will be successful and eternal, fulfilling all the Scripture has spoken, and answering every end designed by it. He will never be deposed. He will never abdicate, for the Lord shall reign forever, even your God, O Zion, unto all generations. All his saints are ordained to be sovereigns, and will reign by virtue of their union with him, and relation to him. "And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and have made us kings and priests unto our God — and we shall reign on the earth."

Well therefore, may all who love his name unite to exalt him, and join in singing, "Unto him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen!"

The Lord Jesus is our judge, the Lord Jesus is our king, the Lord Jesus is our law-giver — he will save us!

Hark, ten thousand harps and voices
Sound the note of praise above!
Jesus reigns, and Heaven rejoices;
Jesus reigns, the God of love.
See, he fills yon azure throne,
Jesus rules the world alone!

King of Glory, reign forever:
Yours an everlasting crown
Nothing from your love shall sever
Those whom you have made your own.
Happy objects of your grace,
Destined to behold your face!

Savior, hasten your appearing;
Bring, O bring the glorious day;
When, the awful summons hearing,
Heaven and earth shall pass away
Then with golden harps we'll sing,
Glory, glory to our King!